Staging Your Home

Home staging is a psychological art. A good stager will be savvy to the desires of humans, will understand the preferences of the likely buyer, and can transform an undesirable piece of real-estate into one that is more desirable.

The most important thing for a house on the market is that it shows well," "People buy homes based on emotions. As a seller, you want to be certain your home will arouse those emotions the second a prospective home buyer walks in the front door." "Ninety-five percent of the homes we stage sell in the first month of being on the market," Glass said. "Not only do staged homes sell quickly, it is not unusual for multiple offers to come in over the asking price." Judith Glass and Sheila Sabine-Prudential California Realty

Staging is the visual enhancement of a home by a home stylist.

Houses that sell the quickest and for the highest price are those homes that do not look as though they are someone else's, instead they almost look like a model or a store display.

Decorated homes evoke emotions and are more memorable. Dreams that aren't easily visualized are presented through home styling. Builders traditionally use professionally merchandised models to seduce their buyers. Staging showcases a home's full potential and creates a lasting, positive first impression for the buyer.

The cost of preparing your home for sale
should be equal to 1-2% of the asking price.

The result of a recent study shows that staging is selling homes faster and for more money. The difference in sales price showed an amazing increase. Staged homes brought in 6.3% over list price, four times that of other homes in the study's samples. Joy Valentine- Coldwell Banker., Los Altos, CA - "I believe that the above findings have significant implications for Realtors, builders, prospective sellers, buyers and anyone else who stands to benefit from the marketing of residences."

At an average cost of $1,000.00-2,500.00 for the re-styling services, or $.75 per square foot, the resulting increase in sales price and quickness to close equals a worthwhile investment up front. Vacant homes requiring props will need to be estimated based on the contents being provided. An estimate from the home stylist will give the homeowner an idea of how much they will spend.